Up for the cup... Edinburgh is revealed as the coffee-drinking capital of Britain
IT’S a city well known for its historic associations with brewing.
But it appears that in Edinburgh these days the brew in question could be coffee – not beer.
It has been crowned the coffee-drinking capital of Britain following a survey of consumers’ hot drink habits.
Researchers found that people in Edinburgh consume an average of 1,095 cups of it each year.
However, Glasgow risks losing its ‘no mean city’ reputation as a place where locals favour a drop of the hard stuff.
The study found its residents are the UK’s biggest fans of herbal and fruit teas, sipping 438 cups a head annually.
Overall, the researchers calculated that the average Briton will spend a staggering £35,733 on teas and coffees over the course of their lives.
However, despite an array of elaborate choices of offer in high street outlets, the most popular coffee remains a humble mug of instant, favoured by 22 per cent of those polled.
When it comes to posh coffee, the people of Manchester drink more espressos than anywhere else, while those in Liverpool prefer a frothy cappuccino.
Scousers also emerged as the biggest tea lovers in Britain, with the average Liverpudlian consuming 1,460 cups of tea every year.
When it comes to most popular go-to-brew, English breakfast tea was voted the top choice.
In preparing their tea, the majority of those polled claimed that milk with no sugar is the perfect formula. Almost three-quarters of adults who completed the poll (72 per cent) admitted that they would rather stay in and curl up on the sofa with a cuppa rather than having a raucous night out on the tiles.
According to the study – carried out by Redring, the maker of instant boiling water taps – half of Glaswegians take sugar in both their tea and coffee. Glaswegians take three sugars on average, while Edinburgh residents only take one
Earl Grey was more favoured in Edinburgh than anywhere else in the UK, with 23 per cent saying it was their favourite tea.
Glaswegians have the most arguments with their other half over who makes the hot drinks – with 13 per cent saying they regularly bicker over whose turn it is.
A Redring spokesman said: ‘Brits are famous for their love of tea. It would seem many of us can’t function without it.
‘Despite the market being flooded by extravagant blends and flavours, it appears good old builder’s tea is what we reach for.
‘Similarly, the research shows that despite the influx of coffee shops on every high street across Britain, you can’t beat a hot cup of instant whether you’re at home or in the office.’
The survey of 1,500 Brits showed the typical adult spends £447.20 on tea and coffee from restaurants and coffee shops over the course of a year and a further £120 on hot drinks for the home or office.
‘You can’t beat a hot cup of instant’